A Hole in the Head is a "genuinely entertaining" (Newsweek), OscarĀ(r)-winning* comedy, directed by the legendary Frank Capra at his uproarious best! Meet Tony (Frank Sinatra), a wannabe big shot who's constantly broke. A... more &raquond while the carefree widower may not have money, he is rich in one respect: he's got the unconditional love of his adoring young son, Ally (Eddie Hodges). But when Tony asks his wealthy brother, Mario (Edward G. Robinson), for a loan, Mario, who disapproves of Tony's swinging lifestyle, agrees to back his brother on one condition: settle down or give him custody of Ally! Tony may be desperate, but he'd have to have A Hole in the Head to agree to Mario's terms wouldn't he? *1959: Music (Song, "High Hopes")&laquo less

Movie Reviews

The Great Irony Of Hole In The Head

marleyscott | Long Island, NY | 11/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The irony that seems to be lost on everyone in this movie is Sinatra's grand get-rich-quick scheme. He's got this crazy idea about building a Disney Land in Florida. You remember the great scene at the dog track with Keenan Winn where he lays out the plan..."Sure, we pick up the land for a song and we're in business". Keep in mind this is 1959 and even Walt himself probably hadn't thought about picking up all that property dirt cheap and developing the world's largest theme park...Then again maybe Walt saw Hole In The Head."

What A Combination

11/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of my favorite Sinatra films. It has quite a cast of charater Sinatra,Robinson and Capra. This group have all made some very good movie's and they all have a distinct style with there film's. Put this combination toghter and they all play off each other well. Sinatra play's a dreamer and on the verge of losing everything except that he has a son that will stick by him no matter what. Robinson is the older brother who is very set in his ways. He visit his younger brother and there take on life are about as different as brother can be. I wish ther were some extra's; I feel this film has alway's been a little overlook when people talk about Sinatra film's. But for the price it is a nice feel good movie to add to the collection."

Frank On Collins Avenue

Marc Flanagan | Santa Monica, Ca. | 08/09/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The films begins with picturesque shots of Miami Florida, circa 1959, that alone could be worth the price of admission. The exterior of the hotel that Sinatra barely owns, is The Cordoza Hotel in South Beach. Sinatra's voice can be heard over the opening credits, singing the Cahn /Van Husen song, "All My Tomorrows". Frank is a single father trying to have all his dreams come true at once, make time with swinging chicks and see that he isn't put out on the street because the mortgage is due on his two star hotel. This was a play adapted for the screen by the playwrite,it feels like the lead character was Jewish, for his parents have the requisite guilt devices, but no matter, all are terrrific. The young man who plays his son, Eddie Hodges, was the little boy from the stage production of, "Music Man" (he was also a big hit on a musical quiz show, Name That Tune-his partner on the show was pilot John Glenn! Now that's trivia of the highest order) Lots of great character actors(Thelma Ritter,Edward G Robinson and Keenan Wynn) and local Florida color and can't forget the charming duet sung by father and son,"High Hopes", adds up to a fun viewing. I watch it every few years, it holds up. Hey, it's a Capra film and he never made a bad movie."

Fills the Hole in the Heart

Gord Wilson | Bellingham, WA USA | 04/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After his singing career began to wane, Frank Sinatra began his meteoric rise in the movies. One of his best comedic roles was in the musical Guys and Dolls. But here's another little-seen gem, a Frank Sinatra sleeper that many viewers have caught bits of but which only recently appeared on DVD.

After seeing this film, I tried to track it down, not knowing the name of it, and finally found it in Leonard Maltin's film guide (check out his review). They don't make movies like this anymore. That overused cliche is an understatement for this film where everything works, especially the chemistry between Sinatra and Eleanor Parker, but the show stealer is his twelve year old son, Ally, who takes care of the always drinking, always dreaming Sinatra. Edward G. Robinson tries to straighten him out, at bottom still believing in him. If you're wondering if Capra ever made anything as endearing as It's a Wonderful Life, yes he did, and here it is, a great family film now on DVD.

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Warm and winning family classic

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 01/01/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sure, you can compare A HOLE IN THE HEAD with the similarly-themed "The Courtship of Eddie's Father", but director Frank Capra turns what might have been a sentimental story into one with enough rough edges to make it ring true for audiences.

Frank Sinatra stars as widower Tony Manetta, a man with big dreams and even bigger ambitions to run the most successful hotel in Miami (and trying to raise his little son Ally, played by Eddie Hodges). Tony's elder brother Mario (Edward G. Robinson), concerned about the welfare of his nephew, makes a deal with Tony. He'll back Tony's latest scheme but if it fails, he'll take custody of Ally. Tony's plans also cause complications in his lovelife, when he's caught between a free-spirited kook (Carolyn Jones) and a beautiful widow (Eleanor Parker).

A HOLE IN THE HEAD is warm-hearted without being syrupy, and the cast is absolute perfection. Eleanor Parker (with stunning red hair!) is much-appreciated and Carolyn Jones is a delightful presence too. Director Frank Capra also manages to draw out a delicate performance from Frank Sinatra; his scenes with Eddie Hodges are charming. A HOLE IN THE HEAD should earn a proud place in your classic movie collection. (Single-sided, dual-layer disc)."